Measuring box



Nov. 20, 1928..

F; J. STRAUB MEASURING BOX Filed F sh. 1, 1927 6 .InlliI-fll PatentedNov. 20, 1928.

UNITED STATES 1,692,356 PATENT OFFICE.

FRANCIS J. swarms, or NEW KENSINGTON, PENNSYLVANIA.

' MEASURING BOX.

Application filed. February 1, 1927. Serial No. 165,238

My invention consists of an improvement in measuring boxes for concretemixing machines and similar apparatus. 7

It has in View to provide ameasuring box of such kind for materialswhich are handled in lump or powdered form, as, for instance,

the raw material for making aggregate for concrete constructionin'article or bulk form.

In the particular use of the invention involved, it is particularlydesigned for measuring theraw aggregate, or cement, or both, fordelivery to a mixer, in the manufacture of building blocks and the like.It may be used, however, in connection with various kindsof material,the primary object being to provide a simple, rapidly'operative meansfor periodically delivering a measured amount from a source of supply toa utilizing machine.

In the drawings: I

Fig. 1 is a. view partly'in elevation and partly in section, showing themixing box in relation to a hopper and mixer, the section being on theline II of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a cross section on the line II-II of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a v1 showing the adjustable" wall shifted inwardly; I I

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional detail view 7 on the line IV -IV'of Fig.2. 3

Referring to the drawings, A is the delivery end of a hopper adaptedtodischarge raw material into the movable measuringbox for chargingmeasured amounts into the shell of a. mixer '13 or the like. Extendinglaterally from the side of the mixer is an inclined shelf 2, connected Itherewith and properly supv I ew similar to-Fig. 2, showing themeasuring box tilted for delivery and also ported, forming areceivingplatform or bottom for the measured materiahfrom which it isshifted into the mixer upon tilting of the on the angles 6, to adapt itto a substantially close relation to'the inclinedshelf 2.

g The lower edges oftheend walls 3 substantially conform to the.inclination of shelf 2, being slightly rounded, as at 8, for clearancein swinging-inwardly.

Rear wall-5 is fixedly connected by rivets or bolts with endmost anglemembers 9, which are piovtally connected at 10 by bolts with the lowerinner edge portions of the end plate, for mward or outward swinging. Endplates 3 are provided with slots 11, for adjustable connection by bolts12, extending through-angles 9, so that the rear wall 5 may thus beadjusted throughoutthe length of slots 11 at each end and then fixedlysecured, for varying the amount of cubical contents of the measuringbox. is shown in Fig. 3. i The rear walls 5 are provided with coverplates 13 of angle form, securedto the opposite ends of the wall 5, asinFig. 4, andv close the slots 11 against escape of material Itherethrough in anv position of thewall.

A cut off plate 1 4 is adjustably connected by its terminal angles 15and slots 16 there-, through and bolts 17, so that the plate 14: may beset inwardly or outwardly alimited degree, to adjust it to propercut-off relation-- ship with the delivery end of hopper A, as it isswung to-a delivery p0sition,;to terminate thefiow from the hopper, asin 3.

The measuring box as a whole is pivotally mounted by its middle crossshaft 18, extend} ing throughthe end walls and'hubs 19 there, of intosupporting bearings 20, depending from framing timbers 21 of a buildingor the Such adjusted position v like. The measuring box is. providedwith one or more operating handles 22 secured to one or both of the endplates,-,by which the measuring box may be tilted. Y

The construction and operation ofthe-invention'willbereadilyunderstoodandappre ciated by all thosefamiliar with the making and use of concrete aggregateor similarmaterlals.

When in registering position, as in Fig. 2,.

the raw material will flow by gravity from the hopper, and will fill thebox from the bottom shelf 2 upwardly to its top, slopingapproximately'from each lower edge of the hopper terminal at an angle ofabout 45,

as in usual mineral distribution. When thus filled, the measuring box 1sshifted with its open bot-tom i wardly over across the shelf 2 of mixerB, while the top, at the same time, is shifted in the reverse position,bringing the cut-off plate 14 underneath the hopper opening andeffectually closing off further supply.

The contents will immediately fall by gravity into the mixer, whereuponthe box will be shifted back to receiving position, the operation beingrepeated periodically as often as desired.

The adjustable wall 5 may be accurately set to vary the desired contentsof the box, so that'at each operation a definitely known amount isdelivered. The upper end of the measuring box being open, as'sho'wn,gives ample opportunity for observation by the operator to see when itis full, and the material will not overflow because of the naturalteri'nination of the flow upon being filled.

lts construction is simple and compact, and requires comparativelylittle height above the mixer when used to measure aggregate or cementand-deliver the measured material thereto.

It is comparatively simple and cheap in construction and easy tooperate, having no small partsto become damaged or worn.

The adjust-ability to difiere'nt capacities and its low cost ofmanufacture are further advantages, while it is self-cleaning and notapt to contain anyradhering material when emptied.

The bottom shelf 2 being attached in forming a part of the mixerB,receives a. certain amount of transmitted vibration from the mixeritself, assisting the material in settling and packing. thus ensuringuniform. con sistency and definite equally measured amounts.

The invention may be changed or varied in different detail construction,or in size and capacity to adapt it to varying conditions of use, butall such changes are within the province of the skilled mechanic, andare contemplated as within'the scope ofthe following claims.

hat I claim is:

1. The combination with an upper open bottom hopper and a lowerreceiving casing having a laterally extending material sup portingshelf, of an interposed pivot-ally mounted measuring box having anadjustable side wall, a cut off gate for the hopper and-a continuouslyopen bottom, and means for shifting the measuring box on its pivotalmountingto move contained material from direct supporting engagementwith the shelf to the casing.

2. A measuring box for the purpose described consisting of endplates,intervening side plates, means for adjusting one of said side plates, anupper adjustable cut ofi gate extending between the end plates forcontrolling supply to the box, a pivoting shaft for tilting movement ofthe box thereon extending beyond the end plates at each end, and ashifting lever for he box.

3. In a measuring box of the class vdescribed, the combination with endplates, a side plate connecting the end plates. an opposite side platepivotally mounted between the end plates and having adjustableconnection with the end plates, an upper cut off gate extending betweenthe end plates for controlling supply to the box, a supporting sh aftextending endwise through the box for tilting movement thereon, and anoperating lever secured to the measuring box.

4. The combination-with an upper open bottom hopper and a lowerreceiving casing having a laterally extending supporting shelf, of aninterposed pivotally mounted measuring box open at top and bottom havingatits top an independently adjustable cut-off gate movable with andmounted partly across the upper portion of the box between its sides andmeans for shifting measuring box and its cut-off gate on the pivotalmounting to move contained material from supporting relation witlrtheshelf to the casing while moving the cut-off gate beneath the hopperbottom.

5. The combination with an upper open bottom hopper and a lowerreceiving casing having a laterally extending material supportingshelf,- of an interposed pivotally mounted measuring box open at top andbot tom consisting of end plates, a fixedly connected side wall, anopposite inwardly and outwardly adjustable side wall, a cut-off gate forthe hopper, and means for shifting the measuring box on its pivotalmounting to move contained material fronidirect supporting engagen'lentwith the shelf to the casing;

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature.

FRANCIS J. STRAUB.

